Water filter and treatment system and component

ABSTRACT

A water treatment system comprising a separable water treatment component and a host water treatment apparatus is described. The component is useable in the host apparatus, and has an electronic circuit which is adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus. In typical operation, the electronic circuit of the component includes at least a data tag, and the presence of the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host apparatus upon correct fitment and/or installation of the component, which creates a two-way communication protocol. The host apparatus can then upload relevant data from the data tag, etc., and the component&#39;s circuit can download the relevant information from the host apparatus. The present invention provides the benefits of electrical co-operation and data tagging.

The present invention relates to a water filter and treatment componentfor use in host water treatment apparatus, and a system therefor.

In the production of treated and/or purified water, for exampleultra-pure water for laboratory use, several components are generallyused in conjunction to provide the desired water quality. Some of thesecomponents may be used in parallel or in series, and some are morecritical than others to the final water quality. Nevertheless, the fulland correct performance of all the components is generally essential toguarantee the treated water quality.

To ensure that the final water quality is of the required standard,quality monitors are usually installed either within or external to thewater purification unit to monitor key water parameters on an ongoingbasis. Typically these will include, but are not limited to,resistivity, conductivity, temperature, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), flowrate, etc.

Notwithstanding the above monitoring, for certain applications, industryregulations require traceability of components that affect the finalwater quality. Typically, this information is required by companiesproducing pharmaceuticals or similar products. Currently, this isgenerally carried out by manual logging of component information.

Meanwhile, components can often be installed and/or used in more thanone position in a water treatment apparatus. In other situations,optimum performance of the apparatus can be obtained by using thecomponents in different positions at different instances. However,incorrect performance and/or positioning cannot currently be prevented,which may seriously undermine the water quality and production.

Additionally, it is a desire to know how much capacity or operationallifetime is retained within a component. However, as most components aresealed units, this is impossible to forecast before the componentsuddenly expires or breaks down, again potentially significantlyaffecting the water production. This may cause inconvenience to the userwho would often prefer to schedule component changes at specific times.

It is an intention of the present invention to obviate the abovedisadvantages.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a water treatment component for use in a host water treatmentapparatus, wherein the component has an electronic circuit adapted toco-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus. The hostapparatus and separable water treatment component together comprise awater treatment system.

The co-operation may be one way, either from component to host or viceversa, or two-way.

The component circuit and host circuit can communicate via radio,infrared, or any other transmittable waveforms including optical andmagnetic contact. Preferably, the circuits communicate by physicalelectrical contact for maximum robustness of connection, and to minimiseinterference by other means of communication. Preferably co-operation ofthe circuits is only possible when the communication is correctlycreated, and this is only achieved when the component is correctlyinstalled and/or fitted with the host apparatus.

Each electronic circuit preferably includes a memory capacity and acapability to read/interrogate the other electrical circuit. Theelectrical circuit in the host apparatus preferably includes a centralprocessor, and the electrical circuit in the component preferablyincludes or is a data chip, e.g. a microchip such as well known in theart. The electronic circuit of the component is preferably integral withthe component, and more preferably, is formed integrally with thecomponent during the component manufacture. The electronic circuit ispreferably embedded into or mounted onto the component.

The electronic circuit of the component preferably includes a databasehaving relevant data relating to that component such as validationinformation, process information, and/or manufacturing information.Typical information includes, but is not limited to, date ofmanufacture, date of testing, operator, cartridge type, media type(s),media volumes, media lot numbers, quality control details, and possiblya unique reference code.

The data of the component electronic circuit could be encrypted.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electroniccircuit of the component provides an enablement signal to the electroniccircuit of the host apparatus, and/or vice versa.

The enablement signal may include means for the component or host tocontrol the other part. Preferably, the component and hostinter-co-operate.

Information that can be communicated between the electronic circuits ofthe component and host generally include validation information,production information and/or manufacturing information. Suchinformation in the component could be accessed from the component and bedisplayed by the host apparatus.

If necessary or desired, the same information in the system could beaccessed via a separate reader device or otherwise communicated to aremote reader, for analysis and/or display.

In typical operation, the electronic circuit of the component includesat least a data tag, and the presence of the data tag is identified bythe electronic circuit of the host apparatus upon correct fitment and/orinstallation of the component, which creates a two-way communicationprotocol. The host apparatus can then upload relevant data from the datatag, etc. and the component's circuit can download the relevantinformation from the host apparatus.

In another embodiment of the present invention, lack of co-operationbetween the electronic circuit of the component and electronic circuitof the host apparatus indicates the incorrect fitment and/orinstallation of the component with the host apparatus, or incorrectlocation of a component on a host apparatus where more than one locationis possible.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lack of co-operationbetween the electronic circuit of the component and the electroniccircuit of the host apparatus identifies incorrect operation of thecomponent and/or host apparatus, e.g. a water leak.

The present invention extends to a water treatment component ashereinbefore defined useable with a host water treatment apparatushaving a co-operable electronic circuit, as well as a host watertreatment apparatus useable with a water treatment component ashereinbefore defined, as well as their co-operation to provide a watertreatment system. The electronic circuits of the component and hostapparatus can co-operate in a manner as hereinbefore described.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the water treatmentcomponent of the present invention is a consumable and/or replacementunit such as a cartridge. This includes water treatment units containingion exchange resins, filters, media, etc.

According to a yet further embodiment of the present invention, asimilar treatment component useable with the host apparatus of thepresent invention is an operational unit. Such operational units includemeans to sanitise and/or clean e.g. by way of disinfection and/orchemical cleaning, one or more parts of the host apparatus. This may beby means of a component that contains the sanitant or by the fitment ofdummy components in place of components that may be damaged by thesanitant.

The present invention provides the benefits of electrical co-operationand data tagging. These include one or more of correctinstallation/fitting/use of components, correct location of relevantcomponents in a host apparatus, error-free transfer of information ofcomponent origins and/or history, automatic start and/or use ofcomponents such as sanitisation units, and prevention of incorrectcomponents, such as half-used components, and out of date orinappropriate components.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying and diagrammaticFIG. 1 showing a water treatment component and host water treatmentapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a first water treatment component 2and a host water treatment apparatus 4. The host apparatus 4 has twocomponent locations, one shown ready to receive the first component 2,and one shown fitted with a second component 22.

The component 2 has an embedded microchip 6, which can co-operate withan electronic interface 8 on the host apparatus 4. The remaining part ofthe electronic circuitry in the host apparatus 4 is not shown.

The component 2 includes inlet and outlet water ports 10 a,12 a, to fitwith complementary inlet and outlet water ports 10 b,12 b on the hostapparatus.

The host apparatus includes a purified water outlet 14, and anelectronic display 16.

The host apparatus 4 is a water purification unit, and the component 2is a consumable resin cartridge.

The microchip 6 includes a database retaining product master recordsincluding date of manufacture of the component 2, date of testing,operator, cartridge type, media type (within the component), mediavolume, media lot numbers, quality control details, and a uniquereference code. Only the correct installation and fitting of thecomponent 2 within the opening in the host apparatus 4, allows themicrochip 6 to engage and co-operate with the interface 8 on the hostunit 4.

Once the component 2 is fitted correctly, the electronic circuitry inthe host apparatus identifies the presence of a data tag on thecomponent 2, such that a two-way communication protocol is established.Once communication has been made, the host apparatus 4 can uploadrelevant data from the microchip data tag 6, and the micro chip data tag6 can download relevant information from the host apparatus 4. Theinformation uploaded to the host apparatus includes performancevalidation criteria such as lot numbers, dates and content type andproperty. Information which is downloaded into the microchip data tag 6includes date of commencement of operation and volume of water used onan ongoing basis. The combination of this information allows improvementin determination of consumable lifetime.

Some or all of this information could be displayed on the display 16 onthe host apparatus 4. This could include visual warning of any incorrectoperation, or end of life-time of the component 2.

Because the host apparatus electronic circuitry can identify thepresence, or not, of a data tag, it can be used to prevent leaks fromthe apparatus 4, in that if a component is not fitted correctly with itsdata tag in place, then the apparatus 4 will not operate and thusprevent leaks occurring.

Moreover, if the component 2 could be fitted in more than one opening inthe host apparatus 4, incorrect fitment of the component 2 in the wrongposition could be prevented due to the unique identifier code on eachdata tag. In this regard, FIG. 1 shows a second separable watertreatment component 22. This may provide the same function as the firstcomponent 2, or different. If different, an attempt to fit the firstcomponent 2 into the location of the second component 22 may provide anerror signal or sign through the display 16, thus ensuring that the hostapparatus 4 is not compromised.

The memory in the host apparatus electronic circuitry could also detectif a particular data tag has been previously used in a particularposition, and hence also prevent a situation where optimum performanceis not obtained. Furthermore, if certain changes to the configuration ofcomponents is required prior to carrying out such functions assanitisation then this configuration can be ascertained prior toentering that mode.

The present provides a number of clear advantages, including increasedautomation of information logging, prevention of use of components in anun-optimised manner, greater user awareness of remaining operationallife time of components, and prevention ofmis-connection/mis-installation which could compromise final waterquality, etc.

1-29. (canceled)
 30. A water treatment system comprising a host watertreatment apparatus and a separable water treatment component, saidcomponent being useable in the host apparatus, wherein the component hasan electronic circuit adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuitin the host apparatus.
 31. A water treatment system as claimed in claim30, wherein the co-operation between the component and the hostapparatus is either one-way or two-way.
 32. A water treatment system asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the component circuit and the host circuitcommunicate via one or more of the following transmittable waveforms:radio, infrared, optical and magnetic.
 33. A water treatment system asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the component circuit and the host circuitcommunicate by physical electrical contact.
 34. A water treatment systemas claimed in claim 30, wherein co-operation of the component circuitand the host circuit is only possible when the component is conjoinedwith the host apparatus.
 35. A water treatment system as claimed inclaim 30, wherein the component circuit and/or the host circuit includesa memory capacity.
 36. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30,wherein each electronic circuit can read and/or interrogate the otherelectrical circuit.
 37. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30,wherein the electrical circuit in the host apparatus includes a centralprocessor, and the electrical circuit in the component includes a datachip.
 38. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein theelectronic circuit of the component provides an enablement signal to theelectronic circuit of the host apparatus, and/or vice versa.
 39. A watertreatment system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the enablement signalincludes means for the component or host apparatus to control the otherpart.
 40. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, wherein thecomponent and host inter-co-operate.
 41. A water treatment system asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the electronic circuit of the componentincludes at least a data tag.
 42. A water treatment system as claimed inclaim 41, wherein the presence of the data tag is identified by theelectronic circuit of the host apparatus.
 43. A water treatment systemas claimed in claim 30, wherein lack of co-operation between theelectronic circuit of the component and the electronic circuit of thehost apparatus indicates the incorrect fitment and/or installation ofthe component with the host apparatus.
 44. A water treatment system asclaimed in claim 30, wherein lack of co-operation between the electroniccircuit of the component and the electronic circuit of the unitidentifies incorrect operation of the component and/or the hostapparatus.
 45. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 30, whereininformation in the component is accessed from the component anddisplayed by the host apparatus.
 46. A water treatment system as claimedin claim 30, wherein information that is communicated between theelectronic circuits of the component and the host apparatus isvalidation information, production information and/or manufacturinginformation.
 47. A host water treatment apparatus useable with a watertreatment component to provide a water treatment system, said hostapparatus having an electronic circuit adapted to co-operate with anelectronic circuit in the component.
 48. A separable treatment componentuseable with a host water treatment apparatus, said component having anelectronic circuit adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit inthe host apparatus.
 49. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48,wherein the component is a water treatment component adapted to providea water treatment system in co-operation with the host apparatus.
 50. Atreatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein the component isadapted to sanitise and/or clean one or more parts of the hostapparatus.
 51. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein theelectronic circuit of the component is integral with the component. 52.A treatment component as claimed in claim 51, wherein the electroniccircuit is embedded into or mounted onto the component.
 53. A treatmentcomponent as claimed in claim 48, wherein the electronic circuit of thecomponent includes a database having characterising data relating to thecomponent.
 54. A treatment component as claimed in claim 48, wherein thedata of the component electronic circuit is encrypted.
 55. A treatmentcomponent as claimed in claim 48, wherein the component is a consumablereplaceable unit.
 56. A treatment component as claimed in claim 55,wherein the component is a cartridge.